In the far southwest of France lies Bidart. Here you will spend your vacation in a small coastal community right on the Atlantic. The long sandy beach on the rough Atlantic Ocean transitions into a rugged and rocky dune landscape, from which it is only a few steps to the town center.
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From the coast of the Bay of Biscay, you only need a medium-length hike to reach the Moulin de Bassilour, which can also be easily accessed by car. The historic building now houses a trendy restaurant. On the menu, you will find numerous classics from Basque cuisine, as well as some dishes that are given a modern twist. In the warm summer months, visitors can also enjoy the delicacies outdoors under the open sky.
South of Bidart, the Chapel Sainte-Madeleine is considered a popular destination for longer walks. Along the way, you pass picturesque coastal sections and some bathing bays. The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine enchants you with its historical charm and is open to visitors. The chapel was built in modern times, destroyed by a hurricane in 1817, and rebuilt in its original form just three years later. It is also one of the better-known pilgrimage destinations for hikers on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
South of Biarritz and just a few kilometers from the Spanish border, Plage du Pavillon Royal is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Especially in the summer months, you can expect ideal conditions for a beach holiday. In addition to the peak season in July and August, the transitional periods also attract many travelers. Active vacationers, in particular, get their money's worth thanks to the constant winds, as they can try surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
On 8,000 square meters, the amusement park combines fun and entertainment for the whole family, which children from the age of two can visit. A highlight for young guests is the water play area with a pirate ship. But the bouncy castles and trampolines are also very popular. A zip line offers guests views from above. Children enjoy themselves on the pony circuit or on the caterpillar ride. Adults relax in the beach area on deck chairs or surf the free Wi-Fi. The snack corner provides culinary treats for both young and old.
The Plage d'Erretegia is completely natural and accordingly promises peace and relaxation. You can best reach the coast with a walk from one of the parking lots in the area or the nearby communities in the neighborhood. In the summer months, you can expect temperatures of up to 30°C and plenty of sunshine. In the transitional seasons, you can try various water sports. The sunsets are spectacular all year round when the sky over the sea turns reddish.
The church of Saint-Nicolas is considered a landmark, built in the 16th century and extensively renovated nearly three hundred years later. In the small museum of the community, you can learn more about the history of the village and the historical Basque province of Labourd. Also, take a look at the striking town hall and discover the Villa Saraléguinéa, which is one of the most distinctive buildings in the region. A walk along the Bay of Biscay should not be missed on your tour to Guéthary.
The quiet beach section Plage de Cenitz in Guéthary, located 5 km southeast of Bidart, can be reached via a walk along the coastal path through the protected nature. The 400 m long beach features a narrow strip of pebble sand, grassy areas, rocky sections, and a rugged cliff. It is sheltered in a small bay.
About 27 km south of Bidart, you can explore the silent world inside the mountains in the Grottes de Sare. Advance booking is required and possible up to 4 hours in advance. Under expert guidance, you enter the refreshingly cool grotto and the adjacent, atmospherically lit rock labyrinth with primitive rock formations.
For an excursion into the hinterland of Bidart, a visit to the Agerria farm is recommended. The dairy sheep farm is happy to introduce you to the secrets of raw milk cheese production and also offers workshops. Free-range Pied-Noir pigs provide the aromatic AOC Kintoa ham. In addition, you can purchase goat cheese and other regional products for tasting.
Do you love the morbid atmosphere of lost places? Then you should visit the Château d'Ilbarritz located north of Bidart. The decaying historicist building stands alone on a hill overlooking the sea. It once housed the largest private organ, which is now located in Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre in Paris.
Bidart offers a varied program for a relaxing holiday day. Culture, romance, and sociability are on the agenda. You can admire the picturesque red and white facades at Place Atchoarena while indulging in a wide range of regional delicacies at the market. With a bit of luck, you can watch a game on the Pelota field Grand Fronton next door or listen to Basque chorales in the church Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. Charming cafes and bars invite you to linger at Place Pietonne. Nearby, an old washhouse with a historic stone basin impresses. As the picturesque village is the highest located village on the Basque coast, breathtaking views await you in Bidart. The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine, perched 80 meters above the sea on a rock, opens up a wide panorama of the Côte Basque and its hinterland. You enjoy a spectacular view of the surf beach Plage Central and experience a paradisiacal sunset in the evening.
The coast of Bidart is lined with fine sandy beaches that range from chalky white to golden yellow. Just behind it, the scenic coastal path Sentier Littoral runs over stairs, paths, residential streets, or cliffs. A relaxed hike is recommended, packed with swimwear, to march to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, 10 km away. Your first destination is the Chapelle Saint-Joseph, whose viewing platform is directly above the famous surf spot Parlementia. There you have a prime spot with a view of the daring surf maneuvers that take place on waves up to 6 meters high. Up close, you can see the activity on the beach of Guéthary. At the beach of Lafitenia, another surf spot awaits you before you reach the Chapelle Sainte-Barbe, which opens up the view of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz from a headland. In the protected basin, the Grande Plage invites you to refresh yourself in the sea, while charming cafés on the beach promenade tempt you to have a drink in the afternoon sun.
Northeast of Bidart, Biarritz, characterized by urban charm, invites you to stroll. You can also reach the fashionable seaside resort via the coastal path. Or you can take the bus and go directly to the town center, where you can start the day in a delightful way at the market hall. Right next door, a small museum offers insight into the history of the former fishing village. The original site is located at Port-Vieux, where today whitewashed huts with colorful doors impress behind rocky harbor walls. Ramps and bridges lead out to the sea-swept rocks in front of the cape. The aquarium, housed in an impressive Art Deco building, offers a glimpse beneath the water's surface. Afterwards, it's all about seeing and being seen on the fashionable promenade, which passes by the casino and is lined with exquisite restaurants and cafes, leading up to a mighty palace—the former residence of Napoleon and Eugénie. Behind it, near the historic lighthouse, quieter paths can be found for an evening stroll.